New York, NY–After hours of round-the-clock bargaining, a tentative agreement covering 86,000 healthcare workers across downstate NY was reached at 5:30 a.m. this morning between 1199SEIU and the League of Voluntary Hospitals and Homes of New York (“the League”).

 

The League agreement is the pinnacle contract for healthcare workers in the United States and the biggest bargaining unit within 1199SEIU, the nation’s largest healthcare union. The three-year deal guarantees workers their industry-leading health insurance (with zero premiums, deductibles, and co-pays), secures their excellent defined-benefit pension plan, and provides 4% in annual wage increases, among several other gains. 

 

“At a time when Washington, DC, is making unprecedented cuts to healthcare funding, this contract is a huge win for caregivers who are the bedrock of our healthcare system and essential to maintaining standards for high-quality patient care,” said 1199SEIU President Yvonne Armstrong. “We fully protected our health benefits, defended our strong pension, and raised wages. We also secured an industry-first labor-management fund to provide legal support to immigrant healthcare workers impacted by work status changes—something which we are especially proud to have enshrined in this agreement. We are appreciative of the League for recognizing and acknowledging the essential role of immigrant workers in the healthcare field.”

 

“Healthcare providers are facing unprecedented economic challenges, but this agreement shows what can be achieved when both parties listen to each other and prioritize finding common ground and common cause over conflict and division. We are especially proud to create a new fund for this contract that will provide immigrant workers with financial support to manage legal challenges to immigration status,” said Marc Kramer, President of the League of Voluntary Hospitals and Homes.

 

 Today's deal also increases funding to enhance members’ childcare benefits, provides RN longevity increases, protects the Job Security and Training Fund which allows 1199SEIU members to gain new skills to advance their careers in healthcare, grants layoff protections for members with 10+ years of service, and establishes a committee to review the impact of AI in healthcare.

 

Certified nursing assistants (“CNAs”), emergency medical technicians (“EMTs”), registered nurses (“RNs”), housekeepers, social workers, clerical staff, dietary workers, physician assistants (“PAs”), technicians, lab workers, and maintenance staff are among the 86,000 1199SEIU members covered by the contract. The diverse group of healthcare workers work at 90 nursing homes and hospitals in downstate New York including Montefiore, Mount Sinai, Northwell, New York-Presbyterian, and NYU Langone Health.

 

1199SEIU’s bargaining committee, which includes nearly 400 rank-and-file members representing all institutions and job titles, is enthusiastically urging a “yes” vote, and ratification by the membership will be scheduled shortly.